engleski

Non-toxic Ingestion

Poisons information service has an important role in health risk assessment after ingestion of potential low-toxic or non-toxic agent. Various household products, domestic plants and even some drugs and pesticides cause acute poisoning only in case of massive ingestion. Frequently, accidental or parasuicidal small amount ingestion provokes laymen’s worry and fear as well as unnecessary medical care. These cases usually require only short-term observation without specific medical treatment. Overdose of different drugs i.e. antibiotics, oral contraceptives, corticosteroides, multivitamines preparations without iron, fluorid based preparations for caries prophylaxis, antacides, skin creams and homeopathic preparations do not cause adverse health effects. Numerous household substances are harmless; anionic or non-ionic detergens and soaps (the only danger is foam aspiration that may cause toxic pneumonitis), starch, water-based glues or paints, and cosmetics. It is very unusual that small amount ingestion of anticoagulant rat baits, pyrethroid insecticides, some herbicides or fungicides causes symptoms of poisoning. With exception of Philodendron and Dieffenbachia spp, most domestic plants are non-toxic. In addition, non-toxic ingestion includes other different agents: silica gel, mercury thermometer (broken glass is dangerous!), ballpoint-pen ink, pencil, chalk, crayon, felt-tip pen, proof-reader, modelling clay, plasticine, putty, beeswax or paraffin candles, lubricant, mineral oil, glycerol and battery (symptoms of mercury poisoning may occur if battery leaks). The requried criterias for an ingestion to be considered non-toxic are: absolute identification of the agent (its ingredients and concentration), absolute assurance that was the only agent ingested, good approximation of the amount involved and absence of poisoning symptoms.

non-toxic ingestion; poison control center

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